GLEN BURNIE, MD (September 8, 2023) – Maryland Transportation Deputy Secretary Samantha Biddle and Anne Hairston-Strang, Ph.D., Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ Acting State Forester of the Maryland Forest Service, joined today with Maryland Motor Vehicle Administrator Chrissy Nizer and other state employees for a tree planting to celebrate the state’s Pamela J. Kelly Tree-Mendous Maryland program. The event planting a Serviceberry tree was held at the agency’s Glen Burnie branch.
Samantha Biddle, MDOT Deputy Secretary, Chrissy Nizer, Motor Vehicle Administrator, Anne Hairston-Strang, Acting State Forester of Maryland Forest Service at DNR, Margie Brassil, Legislative Director for Delegate Dana Stein
Tree-Mendous Maryland is a partnership between the Motor Vehicle Administration and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, and provides Marylanders with an opportunity to support environment initiatives of the Moore-Miller Administration by restoring tree cover on public land and community open space and helping to mitigate the effects of pollution.
“Tree-Mendous Maryland reflects the commitment of the Maryland Department of Transportation, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and the entire administration of Governor Wes Moore to protect our environment and position Maryland as a global leader in sustainability,” said Deputy Transportation Secretary Biddle. “We’re joining forces with our partner agencies and our neighbors across the state to help make our communities healthier and more attractive.”
Through the program, Maryland vehicle owners can a voluntary $1 donation – or any amount of their choosing – to the Pamela J. Kelly Tree-Mendous Maryland program when they register or renew their vehicle registration using the Motor Vehicle Administration eServices or a self-service kiosk. Proceeds help to fund tree planting projects throughout the state and support efforts to educate citizens on the importance of trees and their role in maintaining a clean and healthy environment.
To date, the program has raised more than $67,000 – which equates to more than 1,600 trees.
“The Motor Vehicle Administration shares Governor Moore’s mission to protect and preserve our state’s natural resources,” said Motor Vehicle Administrator Nizer. “We’re proud to offer our customers an opportunity to contribute to Maryland’s environment and build a better future for the communities we serve. We hope that our customers consider making a tree-mendous donation during their vehicle registration renewal transaction.”
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources provided the Serviceberry tree for planting on the north side of the Motor Vehicle Administration’s headquarters in Glen Burnie. As the tree matures it will grow up to approximately 20 to 50 feet tall with a life span of about 50 years. Tree-Mendous Maryland will offer trees native to Maryland to communities throughout the state and support statewide efforts to combat climate change and build a more sustainable and resilient Maryland.
“The Department of Natural Resources is always striving to enhance and preserve our state’s natural and recreational resources, “said Acting State Forester Hairston-Strang. “The tree planted today with my colleagues – and the thousands we’ll plant trees across the state – will help improve the quality of air, and life, for all Marylanders for generations to come.”
The Pamela J. Kelly Tree-Mendous Maryland remains one of the state’s most popular programs aimed at helping citizens restore tree cover on public land and community open space. To date, the program has assisted more than 3,000 towns and communities, parks and schools in planting trees and shrubs to help clean the water, clean the air, and keep our towns and cities inviting, livable and environmentally viable places to live.
For more on Tree-Mendous Maryland, please visit here.
###
